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Jane Austen visits the City Museum during Winchester Year of Heroes

Throughout history, a wealth of historic figures have lived in or made an impact on Winchester, and Jane Austen is perhaps the best known and best loved among them. In response to visitor interest in the city's Jane Austen connections, the City Museum in The Square is hosting a fun, inter-active day of performances all about her life on Saturday 12th July.

Actors from The Phoenix Theatre Company in Portsmouth will be at the museum all day, giving presentations about Jane Austen's life and times in Winchester.
Jane Austen stayed in College Street ,Winchester not far from the museum, and the museum's Winton Gallery houses a small collection of Austen memorabilia including a poem handwritten by Jane while she was living in the city. Sher Kent, Winchester City Council's museum services manager, said:
"These performances will be fun and interactive, so even those who don't profess to be 'Jane-ites' among our visitors can come along and be entertained!"
She added,
"The event is free so just turn up and learn more about one of Winchester's heroes."
Performance times are 11am, noon, 1pm, 3pm and 4pm and will last around 20 minutes.

Winchester City Council's tourism team is encouraging visitors to find out more about the many other famous folk who have lived and worked in the Winchester District throughout 2008's Year of Heroes. Visitors can currently enjoy the story of William Walker who saved the cathedral from collapse at a special exhibition, and about some of our military heroes who are being commemorated at the Military Museums in Peninsula Barracks from the end of the July. There's also a 'Hidden Heroes' trail at the Great Hall throughout the rest of 2008.
But there are plenty of other notables, from 'Marathon Madge' and Juliana the Washerwoman to Izaak Walton, Keats, St Swithun and of course the very much loved King Alfred of Wessex. Perhaps you can think of other examples or historic or contemporary heroes? If so, log on to www.visitwinchester.co.uk and make a nomination today.

Editor's Notes:

01. For more information please contact: Winchester City Council's Museum Services Manager Sher Kent 01962 848 557 or skent@winchester.gov.uk

02. Great photo opportunites during the day: please contact Sher as above to arrange a time.

03. The City Museum, The Square (near the Cathedral)

Galleries tell the story of Winchester from its origins as a prehistoric trading centre and Roman regional capital, pre-eminence as a principal city in the Anglo-Norman kingdom, development and decline in the Middle Ages, through to modern times. Reconstructed 19th and 20th century shops. Hands-on activities and quizzes. Audio guide available (English, Spanish, French).

Open: Daily Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun, 12noon-5pm
Nov-Mar, Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm, Sun, 12noon-4pm
Admission: free access - lift to all floors
Contact details: www.winchester.gov.uk email: museums@winchester.gov.uk